Collapsible container

Abstract: A material handling container (10) of the type for packaging, shipping and inventorying goods and of the type for stacking one upon the other when not in use, made of molded thermoplastic and having a plurality of plastic reinforcement members (86) arranged in predetermined positions about the plastic planer expanses (84) of the container (10) for adding strength and stiffness. The reinforcement members (86) define a plurality of hollow channels (88) disposed adjacent to the planer expanses (84) of the container (10) and including at least one rib (90) extending upwardly from the channel (88) defined the reinforcement member (80) for adding strength and stiffness to the planer expanse (84) of the container (10).

Description: The invention relates to a container. An illustrative material handling container is of the type for packaging, shipping, and inventorying goods. More specifically, an illustrative embodiment of the invention relates to a reusable, molded thermoplastic container which is collapsible when empty and stackable in either the collapsed or upright position in order to reduce the space required to ship or inventory goods stored in the container. Material handling containers used for packaging, shipping and inventorying goods are well known in the art. For example, United States Patent No. 4,591,065 issued to Foy on March 27, 1986; United States Patent No. 4,917,255 issued to Foy et al. on April 17, 1990; United States Patent No. 4,923,079 issued to Foy; United States Patent No. 4,674,647 issued to Gynge et al. on June 23, 1987; United States Patent No. 4,775,068 issued to Reiland et al. on October 4, 1988; and United States Patent No. 5,094,356 issued to Miller on March 10, 1992 all disclose collapsible containers having a base and four walls which are hingedly connected to the base. The walls are moveable between a collapsed position where the walls are folded one on top of the other and an upright position where the walls extend vertically upward from the base to define an interior of the container. Containers of the type disclosed in the patents listed above are made of plastic and are generally the largest of their class having dimensions ranging from approximately 1.02-1.14 m (40-45 inches) in width, x approximately 1.22 m (48 inches) in length, x approximately 0.63-0.99 m (25-39 inches) in height. Typically, in the prior art, each wall and base of such containers are molded separately using a structural foam molding process. The structural foam molding process is often employed to mold large parts such as those which make up a collapsible container. This is a low pressure molding process in which a gas foaming agent, typically nitrogen, is introduced upstream of the mold foam material, typically a high density polyethylene plastic. The foaming agent aids the material to spread out and fill the entire mold until the mold is fully packed. The gas foaming agent defuses out of the material leaving a porous part having a cellular structure. However, there are certain disadvantages attendant with structural foam plastic molded containers. For example, the minimum wall thickness required when using structural foam is 6.35 mm (.250 inches). Further, large parts such as walls and bases need to be reinforced with strengthening ribs. As a result, structural foam containers have thick heavy walls and bases producing an overall container weight of between 68.04 and 77.11 Kg (150 and 170 pounds). The greater the thickness of a base or wall, the longer it takes for the part to cool in the mold. This increases mold cycle time which is a critical variable in the manufacturing process. The longer the cycle time, the fewer parts that can be made per hour. As such, longer cycle times increase the cost of each container. In addition to increased costs due to weight and cycle time, structural foaming also reduces the material properties such as impact resistance and tensile strength. US-A-4,923,666 describes a method of injection molding in which pressurized gas is introduced into the molten resin in a mold cavity during cooling of the resin. The mold cavity is designed to manufacture moldings with unevenly distributed thick walled sections. Accordingly, there is a need for a light-weight, thin walled, strong material handling container which can be molded in shorter cycle time using less material and therefore reducing the cost of the container. The present invention provides a material handling container as claimed in claim 1. The subject invention overcomes all of these deficiencies in the prior art and meets the above-identified needs in a cost effective, durable, light-weight, thin walled, reinforced thermoplastic material handling container which can be molded in shorter cycle times without a loss in material properties of the container. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES The subject invention is directed toward a material handling container of the type for packaging, shipping and inventorying goods including a base, a pair of sidewalls and a pair of end walls, and, optionally, a lid. Each of the walls are hingedly connected to the base and moveable between a collapsed position wherein the walls are folded one on top of the other in an upright position wherein the walls are extended vertically upward from the base to define an interior of the container. Such a container may be stacked one on top of the other when the container is in either its upright or collapsed position. The container is made of molded thermoplastic. As such, the walls and base define planer expanses having a plurality of plastic reinforcement members arranged in predetermined positions on these expanses for adding strength to the container. The reinforcement members define a plurality of hollow panels disposed adjacent to the planer expanse and integral therewith and include at least one rib extending upwardly from the channel defined by the member. The material handling container of the subject invention is injection molded having thinner wall thicknesses than structural foam molded containers and, as such, uses less material, have lower manufacturing cycle times and is lighter and less expensive than other such prior art containers. The reinforcement members are specifically designed to maintain the structural integrity of the walls and base of the container despite thinner wall thicknesses and without loss of material properties such as impact resistance and tensile strength. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the material handling container of the subject invention with the walls in their upright position; Figure 2 is a perspective view wherein the drop door in the sidewall is folded outward and showing the smooth planer interior of the container; Figure 3 is a partially broken away perspective view of the container showing an end wall in its upright, erect position and a sidewall disposed between its collapsed and upright position; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along lines 4-4 of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a cross-section side view taken substantially along lines 5-5 of Figure 1 and showing the reinforcement members of the container; Figure 6 is an exploded side view of the base and one sidewall of the subject invention; Figure 7 is a side view of the container when the walls are in their collapsed position with another container stacked thereon; Figure 8 is another side view of the container when the walls are in their collapsed position with another container stacked thereon; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the container when the walls are in their collapsed position. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The subject invention is directed toward a material handling container of the type for packaging, shipping and inventorying goods and is generally shown at 10 in Figures 1 and 2. The container is molded of a thermoplastic material and includes a base, generally indicated at 12, a pair of sidewalls 14 and a pair of end walls 16. Each of the walls 14, 16 are hingedly connected to the base 12 and moveable between a collapsed position wherein the walls are folded one on top of the other as shown in Figure 9 and an upright position wherein the walls extend vertically upward from the base 12 to define an interior 18 of the container 10 as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The base 12 presents a bottom 20 of the container, a portion of which can be seen in Figure 3, and which can take the form of either a solid planer sheet of plastic or a grid-like configuration wherein the interior 18 of the container 10 is exposed to the environment at the base 12. Alternatively, the bottom 20 can be any combination of solid planer sheets or grid-like configuration. The base 12 further includes a series of legs, generally indicated at 22, extending from the bottom 20 of the container. The series of legs includes corner legs 24 located at each of the four corners of the container 10 and intermediate legs 26 disposed between the corner legs 24 along the perimeter of the base 12. Straps 28 extend between the legs 22 and define channels 29 between predetermined legs 22. More specifically, the straps 28 extend between corner legs 24 and intermediate legs 26 to define a pair of channels 29 on each side of the container for receiving the forks of a forklift to facilitate the raising and lowering of a container 10. The base 12 also includes a pair of oppositely disposed short base sides 30 extending upwardly from and integrally with the bottom 20 of the base 12 and corresponding to the sidewalls 14. Similarly, a pair of opposed base sides 32 corresponding to the end walls 16 also extend upwardly from the bottom 20 of the base. As will be discussed in greater detail below, each of the sidewalls 14 is hingedly connected through a tongue and groove type hinge, generally indicated at 34, to the upstanding sides 30 of the base 12. Similarly, each of the end walls 16 is hingedly connected through a tongue and groove type hinge, generally indicated at 36, to the upstanding sides 32 of the base 12. As can best be seen with respect to a sidewall 14 in Figure 6, each hinge 34, 36 includes tongues 38 extending from the walls 14, 16 and which are adapted to be received in corresponding grooves or sockets 40 in the base sides 30, 32. Both the tongues 38 and sockets 40 include aligned apertures which receive a rod which forms a hinge axis about which the side and end walls rotate between collapsed and upright positions. As best shown in Figure 2, at least one of the sidewalls 14 includes a drop door 42 hingedly connected to the sidewall via a tongue and groove type hinge 44 in the same manner that the walls 14, 16 are hinged to the base 12. The drop door 42 is rotatably moveable between an open position as shown in Figure 2 and a closed position wherein the door 42 is latched to the sidewall 14 via latches 46 shown in Figure 3 as is common in the art. The drop door 42 further includes oval shaped tabs 47 disposed along the edges thereof which are received in corresponding sockets 49 in the sidewall 14 at the opening created by the door 42. The drop door 42 provides access to the interior 18 of the container 10 through a sidewall 14 when the container is in its erect, upright position. Similarly, wall latches 48 are employed to latch adjacent side and end walls together when they are in their upright position. In addition to the latches 48 and referring to Figures 3 and 4, the container 10 also includes a wall interlocking system, generally indicated at 50, located on adjacent side and end walls 14, 16 for providing interlocking engagement therebetween when the walls are in their upright position. More specifically, the wall locking system 50 includes terminal portions 52 disposed along either edge of the sidewalls 14 defining planes which are substantially parallel to the plane defined by the sidewall 14 associated with the terminal portions 52. The terminal portions 52 include at least one, but preferable a plurality of, tabs, generally indicated at 54, disposed at predetermined spaced intervals along the terminal portions 52 and extending from the terminal portions 52 in a direction away from the interior 18 of the container 10. The tabs 54 have arcuately shaped, conically converging surfaces 56 which define a truncated cone. The arcuate surfaces 56 form an oval shaped tab 54 when viewed in Figure 6. The oval shaped tabs 54 have a longitudinal axis A which is substantially vertical and perpendicular to the bottom 20 of the base 12 when the walls 14 are in their upright position. The wall interlocking system 50 includes a corner portion 58 which is disposed along either edge of the end walls 16. As best shown in Figures 1 and 4, the corner portions 58 form wrap-around edges to the container 10 and thus substantially defines a plane which is parallel to the plane defined by the adjacent sidewalls 14 when the adjacent side and end walls are in their upright position. The corner portions 58 includes at least one, but preferably a plurality of, sockets 60 disposed at predetermined spaced intervals along the corner portion 58 and corresponding to the tabs 54. More specifically, each of the sockets 60 have arcuately shaped, conically converging, oval shaped surfaces corresponding to the tabs 54 which are adapted to receive the tabs in a snug fashion and thereby lock adjacent side and end walls 14, 16 together when the adjacent walls are in their upright position. Further, the arcuately shaped conically converging surfaces of the tabs 54 and the corresponding sockets 60 aid in the interlocking action of the adjacent side and end walls because there are no sharp corners or angle surfaces which require close tolerances in order to precisely interfit. In addition, the arcuate surfaces form continuous interlocks about the entire peripheral surfaces of the tabs 54 and sockets 60 which strengthens the corner of the container 10 when in its upright position. Referring now to Figures 4 and 6, the terminal portions 52 are themselves defined by a pair of marginal members 62 which are disposed in spaced parallel relationship with respect to one another and parallel to the plane defined by their associated sidewalls 14. A plurality of reinforcing flanges 64 extend between the marginal members 62 so as to form open ended box-like sections between the marginal members 62. This arrangement strengthens the terminal portions 52 while presenting a smooth planer surface on the surface 66 of the marginal member 62 facing the interior 18 of the container at the terminal portions 52 when the container is in its upright position. As such, the side and end walls 14, 16 present smooth planer surfaces facing the interior of the container even on the surfaces 66 of the marginal members 62 of the terminal portions 52 of the sidewalls 14. In this way, the container 10 is adapted to receive a liner (not shown) which may be employed to inventory and ship liquid in bulk without the danger that the liner will tear, rip or otherwise leak due to contact with sharp or irregular, non-smooth surfaces facing the interior of the container. Referring now to Figures 7-9, the hinges 34 for opposed sidewalls 14 define a pair of axes 68 about which the sidewalls are rotatable between their collapsed and upright positions. Similarly, the hinges 36 for the opposed end walls 16 define a pair of axes 70 about which the end walls are rotatable between their collapsed and upright positions. Referring specifically to Figure 7, it can be seen that the hinge axes 68 for the opposed sidewalls 14 are disposed on a common horizontal plane bisecting these axes 68. When the container 10 is in the collapsed position, the sidewalls 14 are rotated to this position first. Because sidewall hinge axes 68 are on the same plane, the planes defined by the opposed sidewalls 14 intersect when in this position. However, the sidewalls 14 are isolated from any loadbearing responsibility and therefore this arrangement does not degrade the structural integrity of the container. Similarly, and referring specifically to Figure 8, it can be seen that the hinge axes 70 for the opposed end walls 16 are also disposed on a common horizontal plane bisecting these axes 70. However, the plane bisecting the hinge axes 68 is spaced vertically from and parallel to the plane bisecting the hinge axes 70. Further, unlike the sidewalls 14, the end walls 16 are supported as will be discussed in further detail below. The base sides 30 for the opposed sidewalls 14 form a pair of ramping surfaces 72 which define oppositely opening arcuate angles with the sidewall hinge axes 68. The base sides 30 also include horizontal surfaces 74 disposed between the two ramping surfaces 72 and parallel to the hinge axes 68. The base sides 32 for the opposed end walls 16 have an upper marginal edge 76 disposed above each hinge axis 68, 70 which forms a platform surface 78 for supporting another container 10 when one container is stacked on another in the collapsed position. The end wall corner portion 58 includes stacking surfaces 80 forming the terminal edge thereof and which are adapted to rest upon and be supported by the ramping surfaces 72 and a portion of the horizontal surface 74 at an angle to the horizontal when the container 10 is collapsed. However, only the stacking surfaces 80 of the first end wall 16 which is collapsed is supported as described above. The second collapsed end wall 16 is supported as follows. The end walls 16 include wall support surfaces 82 disposed in parallel spaced relationship to the stacking surfaces 80 on the opposite sides of the corner portions 58 from the stacking surfaces 80. A portion of the wall support surfaces 82 on the first collapsed end wall are employed to support the other, second collapsed end wall 16 along the second end walls stacking surface 80 when both end walls are in their collapsed position. In this way, it does not matter which sidewall is moved to its collapsed position first. This step is therefore nonsequential. Similarly, the sequence of collapse of the end walls is irrelevant. The collapsible material handling container as described above is preferably molded of a thermoplastic resin such as high density polyethylene, or Xenoy®, Cycolac®, Cycloy® or Lexan®, the latter four of which are engineering thermoplastics available from General Electric Company GE Plastics division. Unlike the material handling containers of the prior art, the container of the subject invention is not formed using a structural foam molding process. Rather, the walls and base of the subject invention are formed via a gas assist, low pressure injection molding process using the methods and apparatuses as described for example in United States Patent No. 4,824,732 issued to Watson et al. for a Process and Apparatus for Injection Moulding and Mouldings Produced Thereby; United States Patent No. 4,740,150 issued to Sayer for an In-mold Gas Injection Nozzle; United States Patent No. 4,498,860 issued to Gahan for a Sprue Cut Off; United States Patent No. 4,923,666 issued to Yamazaki et al. for a Plastic Filled Mold; and United States Patent No. 4,923,667 issued to Sayer for a Gas Vent Pin. The resulting cross-sectional thickness of any wall or portion of the base can be as little as 3.81 mm (.150 inches). This reduces the weight of the container as compared with the structural foam molding containers of the prior art, which in turn reduces the time needed to cool the part in the mold and therefore reduces the cycle time and labor needed to mold any given part of the container. In each of the injection molded walls or base, there are portions which define a plastic planer expanse 84. These expanses may be found on any portion of the container. For example, the underside of the bottom 20 of the base 12 or the exterior surface of the side and end walls 14, 16 all define planer expanses. In order to increase the strength of any portion of the container, these expanses include a plurality of reinforcement members, generally indicated at 86, molded integrally with the container at predetermined positions on the planer expanses 84. For purposes of illustration only and not by way of limitation, the reinforcement members 86 are shown strengthening the walls 14, 16 of the container. Further, a section of the end wall 16 is shown in Figure 5 to illustrate the relationship between any planer expanse 84 and the reinforcement member 86. However, it should be noted that the reinforcement members 86 could be located anywhere on the container and not just in connection with strengthening the walls. Each of the reinforcement members 86 may be hollow channels or a combination of hollow channels and solid members. Preferably each of the reinforcement members 86 define a hollow channel 88 disposed adjacent to the planer expanse 84 with at least one, but preferably a pair of, upstanding ribs 90 disposed in spaced parallel relationship with respect to one another extending upwardly from the channel 88 thereby adding strength to the planer expanse 84. The channel 88 further includes a bottom wall 92 formed by the planer expanse 84 and a pair of upstanding flanges 94 disposed spaced from one another. A truss member 96 extends between the flanges 94 and is spaced from the bottom wall 92 so as to essentially form the top of the channel 88. The flanges 94 form the side of the channel and continue uninterrupted to form the spaced ribs 90. While the hollow channel 88 and reinforcement member 86 may take any geometric shape, the structure described above is such that the reinforcement member 86 is substantially H-like in cross-section as is shown in Figure 5. The reinforcement member 86 of the subject invention can be employed to strengthen any part of the container thereby maintaining a high level of strength and stiffness in a thinner walled, lighter weight, less expensive container. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention in light of the above teachings may be made. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims wherein reference numerals are merely for convenience and are not to be in any way limiting, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims: A material handling container (10) of the type for packing, shipping and inventorying goods and of the type for stacking one upon the other when not in use, said container comprising: a molded thermoplastic container (10) including a plurality of planer expanses (84) in each wall defined by a plurality of plastic reinforcement members (86) integrally molded with the container at predetermined positions on said plastic planer expanses (84) of said container (10); said plurality of reinforcement members (86) each defining a hollow channel (88) disposed adjacent to one of said planer expanses (84) and each including at least one rib (90) extending along the length of the reinforcement member and upwardly from said channel (88) defined by said member (86) for adding strength to said planer expanses (84) of said container (10). A container (10) as set forth in Claim 1 further characterized by said reinforcement members (86) including a pair of upstanding ribs (90) disposed in spaced parallel relationship with respect to each other and extending upwardly from said channel (88). A container (10) as set forth in claim 2 further characterized by said hollow channel (88) defined by said reinforcement members (86) including a bottom wall (92) formed by said planer expanse (84) and a pair of upstanding flanges (94) disposed spaced from one another and a truss member (96) extending between said flanges (94) and spaced from said bottom wall (92) of said channel (88). A container (10) as set forth in claim 3 further characterized by said upstanding flanges (94) integrally defining said upstanding ribs (90) at said flanges (94) upper margins such that said reinforcement member (86) is substantially H-shaped in cross-section. A container (10) as set forth in claim 4 further characterized by said material handling container including a collapsible container (10) having a base (12), a pair of sidewalls (14) and a pair of end walls (16), each of said walls (14, 16) hingedly connected to said base (12) and moveable between a collapsed position wherein said walls (14, 16) are folded one on top of the other and an upright position wherein said walls (14, 16) extend vertically upward from said base (12) to define an interior (18) of said container (10); said base (12) and said walls (14, 16) each defining planer expanses (84) and having a plurality of reinforcement members (86) arranged in predetermined spaced positions on said base (12) and walls (14, 16) for adding strength to said container (10).

Inventors: BORSBOOM ANTONIUS HENDRIKUS, GENNARI ANTHONY ANGELO, RUDOLPH KENNETH GERARD, ZUBER PETER JAMES, BORSBOOM, ANTONIUS HENDRIKUS, GENNARI, ANTHONY ANGELO, RUDOLPH, KENNETH GERARD, ZUBER, PETER JAMES
Applicants: GEN ELECTRIC, GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B65D19
IPC codes: B65D6, B65D1, B65D25, B65D19